Ecuador to Peru Adventure

Traverse the heart of Ecuador on this tour from Quito through to the south-lying Peruvian capital. Witness the crashing waterfalls, steaming hot-springs and wild llamas of the Andes as you wander through the wild mountains, then balance it all out with exploration of UNESCO Heritage-listed cities that gracefully combine the old and the new. Take in Quito, Banos, Cuenca and Lima, hunting for volcanoes in the country and pisco sours in the cities. This is a South American adventure to remember.

Why we love this trip

With its colonial architecture, plazas, churches and colourful local life, there's a reason Quito's Old Town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site

Cueuna boasts colonial streets and buildings to wander, juxtaposed with El Cajas NP’s stunning landscapes to hike around – it’s the perfect mix of city and nature

Seek out volcanoes, hot springs or waterfalls in Banos – it's just a stone’s throw away from plenty of interesting nature spots

Head out on a city tour of Lima, visiting Miraflores and downtown, and join the Peruvian nightlife in the neighbourhood of Barranco

Is this trip right for you?

This trip involves a lot of travel on local buses, including some long stints (8 hours from Banos to Cuenca; 6 hours from Cuenca to Tumbes), and conditions can be fairly basic. Bus travel can be tiring, but it’s also a great opportunity to relax, rub shoulders with the locals and enjoy the scenery.

We’ll be experiencing a mix of hot and cold climates, so pack accordingly and bring layers.

It’s important to wear sunscreen and other sun protection, and always drink plenty of water.

Due to the high altitude of many of places we visit some people can suffer altitude sickness. Some people aren’t affected at all, but if you are, be sure to drink plenty of water and don’t push yourself too hard. If possible, arrive into Quito a few days early to allow yourself time to acclimatise. Please see the ‘Health’ section of the trip notes for more important information about altitude sickness.

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Itinerary

Welcome to Quito, Ecuador. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 2 pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where the welcome meeting will take place. After this important meeting, join your leader on a walking tour of the historic centre of Quito. Stroll through Plaza Grande (main square) and by the Archbishop's Palace. From here, walk about 800 metres uphill to reach the Basilica del Voto Nacional. Time permitting, you may wish to spend more time exploring this church and its views from the top towers. Finally, walk to La Ronda Street and pass by La Compania de Jesus (Church of the Society of Jesus) and San Francisco churches. At the end of the walk, your leader will recommend a local restaurant on La Ronda Street for an optional group dinner.

Quito is an incredible city with loads to see and do, so a few extra days here before the trip is highly recommended. Optional activities and Urban Adventures (best booked ahead of time) include a half-day tour to the Equator Line, a full-day tour to the massive Otavalo Market, a Cotopaxi Volcano adventure, a guided Cloud Forest hike, or a day of relaxing at Papallacta Hot Springs. Contact quitodaytours@peakdmc.com or visit www.urbanadventures.com for more information and to book.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Quito - Leader Led Orientation Walk

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time for the meeting, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Quito is located 2,800 metres above sea level, where it’s common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude - regardless of your age, gender or fitness. Please refer to the ‘Is This Trip Right For You?’ and ‘Health’ sections of the trip notes for important information about altitude sickness before and during your trip.

If you wish to take part multiple of the optional activities mentioned above you will need to book additional accommodation either before or after the tour as there won't be much spare time during the tour.

Today will be an early start, as the group will be on the move by 7 am. Catch a local bus from Quito Central Station to Tena (approximately 5 hours). There’s no toilet on board, but the bus will stop for one toilet break during the journey. From Tena, travel by private vehicle to Misahualli and then by boat to your lodge for the next two nights, arriving by approximately 1.30 pm, just in time for lunch. In the afternoon, your local hosts will introduce you to the local community and take you on a walk around the farm. Use this opportunity to try some fresh fruit and, if you’re feeling brave, tree worms. Finish the afternoon making chocolate dessert from scratch. With the help of the host, you’ll roast, grind and conch chocolate beans into your own chocolate sauce.

Accommodation

Community Lodge (1 night)

Meals Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Special Information

Amazon Jungle: The main focus of this Amazon stay is to learn about the local indigenous people and their way of living.While you'll may be able to see a number of small animals (butterflies, spiders and some monkeys), it's unlikely you will see an array of wildlife.

Accommodation: The lodge is basic and it consists of a bed and linen. Bathroom facilities are shared and showers are refreshingly cold.

In the morning after breakfast, travel by canoe for 45 minutes to the starting point of today's hike. The trek (approximately 4–5 hours, depending on the group's pace) is relatively easy. During the hike, visit a protected private reserve in the secondary rainforest. This is also a great opportunity to spot insects and birds that inhabit this precious ecosystem. Throughout the walk, you’ll come to understand the importance of the jungle to the local community as your guide provides in-depth knowledge and history. After the walk, enjoy a packed lunch on the banks of the Arajuno River. Next you’ll have the opportunity to go tubing down the river. The water currents are not particularly strong however it’s part of our safety policy for all passengers to wear a life jacket if you wish to take part in this activity. The activity will last approximately 1 hour, you will then get back on board the Canoe and travel back to the Amazon lodge (approximately 1.5 hours) Once you get back to the lodge there will be time to shower and freshen up for dinner. After dinner, head out on a night jungle walk!

Accommodation

Community Lodge (1 night)

Meals Included

Enjoy breakfast at around 7 am in the lodge. Afterwards, travel back to Tena the same way you arrived, then catch a local bus to Banos (approximately 3 hours). You should arrive in the city of Banos around midday, with the rest of the day free for you to do as you wish. Perhaps use your free time soaking in the city's natural baths or go for a hike into the valley and to the powerful falls of Pailon del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron).

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

Breakfast

Special Information

Banos has traditionally been known as the outdoor centre of Ecuador with a number of popular high risk activities being offered to foreign and national tourists alike. The safety of our travellers and staff is our first priority. As such, we at Intrepid have gone through our due processes and assessed local suppliers and their safety standards in Banos. Unfortunately, to date none of the local operators in the area have been able to pass Intrepid minimum safety standards. As a consequence, we have instructed local leaders to share with you our safety concerns, discourage travellers from taking these type of activities at this destination and strictly forbid them from helping travellers arrange these activities at this location. Fortunately, Banos has plenty more to offer than high risk activities and we are confident that you will have a great time exploring the area under the guidance of our knowledgeable local leaders.

Enjoy a full day to explore Banos and take advantage of some of the optional activities. Perhaps rise early to watch the sunrise over the mountains near the hot springs. After breakfast, venture to Nuestra Senora del Agua Santa (Church of the Virgin of the Holy Water) and see the intricate murals that depict numerous stories about the virgin. If you have time, stroll around the local artisan markets to pick up a memento of the city. If your trip falls on the weekend or during the holidays, be prepared for carnival-like festivities that take place all over Banos.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

Take a local bus to Riobamba (approximately 3 hours), where you’ll swap buses and head south to Cuenca (approximately 5 hours). Cuenca may well be Ecuador's best looking city; indeed UNESCO rate it on their list of things they love. There are lots of impressive 500-year-old churches and colonial buildings, many made out of marble and decorated with stunning woodwork and ironwork. Cuenca is the home of the famous Panama hat, and if there’s time you could visit a factory and pick up one that fits perfectly. There's also a buzzing nightlife here, due in no small part to the university population.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

Meet up with your leader this morning and get to know Cuenca better with an orientation walk. Trundle along cobblestone streets and check out colonial parks and markets, and stop by the monumental cathedral at the centre. The rest of the day is free to explore Cuenca and the surrounding area. If you’re feeling cultural, maybe head to the Museo Pumapungo, which features an impressive range of artistic, historical, cultural, and ethnological exhibits (including a collection of real shrunken heads from the Shuar civilisation – for the strong stomached only!). Otherwise, maybe get out of town to El Cajas National Park, home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. Tonight you might want to get to bed early, in preparation for a very early start early tomorrow morning.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Cuenca - Leader Led Orientation walk

Meals Included

At approximately 3 am, begin by taking a taxi to the bus station in Cuenca, then a public bus south-east towards the coast and town of Huanquillas (approximately 5–6 hours). After crossing the border into Peru, make your way to the Umbes airport before flying to Lima, capital of Peru. Touch down and meet your new leader before heading to your hotel in Miraflores which sits conveniently by the beach. In the afternoon, embark on an orientation walk through Miraflores, passing the arty markets, shops, restaurants and bars before enjoying an evening at your leisure. Enjoy a free evening with the group, perhaps saying farewell over a pisco sour and a delicious ceviche.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Lima - Leader led orientation walk of Miraflores

Meals Included

You've reached the end of your adventure. There are no activities planned for today and you’re able to depart the accommodation at any time. If you feel like you didn’t have much time in Lima at the start of your trip, perhaps stay on for a few extra days to see more of the city. We’ll be happy to assist with booking accommodation (subject to availability).

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Inclusions

Meals

7 breakfasts,
2 lunches,
2 dinners

Transport

Local bus,
Private vehicle,
Taxi,
Plane

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights),
Jungle Lodge (2 nights)

Included activities

Quito - Leader Led Orientation Walk

Cuenca - Leader Led Orientation walk

Lima - Leader led orientation walk of Miraflores

Meals

7 breakfasts,
2 lunches,
2 dinners

Transport

Local bus,
Private vehicle,
Taxi,
Plane

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights),
Jungle Lodge (2 nights)

Included activities

Quito - Leader Led Orientation Walk

Cuenca - Leader Led Orientation walk

Lima - Leader led orientation walk of Miraflores

Dates & availability

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Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.